Living in the Green Swamp: some people get it

After a wonderful several days of the beginning of the rainy season we have visitors  who are staying in the guest house, our dear friends who truly "get it" about how magical this place is. They look at the swallow tailed kites, the lush grass in the pastures, and appreciate the local sandhill cranes, walk in the woods, fish in the pond. With them we can discuss the nesting habits of the chimney swifts who inhabit our chimney from May to October. They are interested in the alligator with the big head that came to visit the studio yesterday.

We are so inclusive and welcoming to people who come here. We want to show them the wonders of wild Florida. We want them to love this place we call Florida. A couple of years ago we placed this land, our 300 acres or so in a conservation easement. This means that this land and place can never be developed and must stay as it is. No gated community, no shopping mall, no dump can ever be here. Of course, this reduces its value, but who knows? After we're dead a wealthy and eccentric person will take it on or maybe it could be a wonderful environmental camp. (So valuable after our current governor strips out every available environmental gem and there is little left of natural Florida.)

I so passionately believe that our souls depend on being outside in the natural landscape! People who don't get this have never had the experience!

Many of our friends wonder why we stubbornly keep on living here in the Green Swamp. They constantly ask us when are you ever coming to the symphony? Why don't you spend more time in St. Pete? They think we live a thousand miles away. What are we doing there? We are making a life in this community, bird by bird, and person by person. Our fancy credentials are not important here - just our skills and devotion to making better lives for the folks as we find them.

Our friends could come if they wanted to, but 65 miles is so far, and then there are bugs and the possibility of spiders and ticks and other icky things.

Occasionally I wistfully think of the urban experience, and we are inclined to visit New York or Paris or Rome. But not for long! I have to get back to this place on the edge of the Green Swamp.